Chapter Forty-Nine: The Wind-Pure Dispersing Pill

In the world of martial arts, crossing the Dragon-Tiger Pass is the threshold for being considered a second-rate practitioner. As for the superior first-rate masters, there is no fixed standard or realm. According to the parlance of the martial arts community, once a person has crossed the Dragon-Tiger Pass and can project their internal force externally, they must challenge everyone else; those who win and gain recognition are then acknowledged as first-rate.

Consequently, martial artists of the first-rate caliber are a peculiar breed in the pugilistic world. They are either in seclusion, challenging others, or accepting challenges themselves. While one can refuse, few martial artists ever do. After decades of enduring the bitter cold of winter and the sweltering heat of summer, what is it all for? It is simply for wealth and fame. This single concept of "fame" drives countless martial artists to surge toward the first-rate level, yet how many can truly stand there? And once they do, who would be willing to hand it over to another? Thus, they must hold onto it tightly, ready to fight whoever comes their way.

At the entrance of the village, a small old man smiled and greeted Chen Yu. He took the initiative to approach, intending to strike up a conversation. Physician You seemed to have an affinity for Taoism, nodding cheerfully at the handsome young Taoist. The two stepped away from the crowd at the village entrance and strolled along the field ridges to chat.

As they drew closer, Chen Yu, utilizing his spiritual perception, could almost pierce through the man’s skin to observe the blood and bone beneath. It was at this moment that Chen Yu finally concluded that the kind-faced old man before him was indeed above the second-rate level. As for whether he was first-rate, he could not be certain, for first-rate status depends entirely on combat rather than demonstrated levels of cultivation. However, judging by the condition of the man’s body—the muscles were incredibly taut, and although he was not tall, his bones were broad, particularly around the spine, which bore signs of deliberate tempering.

After sensing this, Chen Yu estimated he was likely stronger than Chen Yuanhu, whom he had encountered at the Dharma assembly. That man had been a renowned second-rate master in the Guangyong Prefecture for years, and the person before him possessed even greater martial prowess. Unless he was a recluse living in isolation, there was a high probability that he ranked among the first-rate.

Yet, this mattered little to Chen Yu. While he was curious about this martial arts expert, there were far too many strange, powerful figures in the world, and many were reclusive as well. For all he knew, this man might be one of them, or perhaps, as he claimed, he was simply traveling. Chen Yu did not probe; there is a time and place for getting to the bottom of things.

"I have heard the local villagers speak of the Cloud Crane Temple, and of a Daoist Li whose mastery of Taoist studies is as resounding as thunder," Physician You said, cupping his hands in a salute before tucking them into his sleeves. He squinted his eyes, looking exactly like an old farmer from the countryside, devoid of any murderous aura common to martial artists.

Chen Yu was not surprised, for he himself lacked such an aura. He figured this man was also someone who disliked the taking of lives. In their conversation, it was revealed that the man had come from Huayin County in the east. Huayin was far away in the Wuhu region, separated from the seven southwestern prefectures by over a thousand miles.

When asked why he had traveled so far, the man replied that the southwest was home to vast, towering mountains and ancient, cloud-piercing forests. Many medicinal herbs grew there that were rarely seen south of the Great River or north of the Great Water. As a physician, he had long intended to travel here, and now his wish had been fulfilled. It was then that Chen Yu learned the man’s full name was You Kewei, born into the renowned "Golden Hall of Miraculous Hands." His ancestors had been physicians for generations, earning great praise and the deep respect of the people in Huayin.

"To heal the world with a hanging pot—I truly admire you," Chen Yu said.

"Daoist, you are too kind. The world is full of thousands of ailments; what I have witnessed and treated is but a fraction, and among those, only a few can truly be cured. 'Healing the world' is far too grand a claim."

Chen Yu smiled but remained unconvinced. The man was clearly being modest. How could an old physician who had traveled north and south, treating countless people, only know how to cure a few diseases? He shifted the topic to ask about Liu Da’s elder sister. "Was it abdominal distension?"

Upon hearing this, You Kewei chuckled. "Indeed. I did not expect the Daoist to have studied pathology as well." He truly had not expected it; he had assumed the young Taoist had been invited to perform exorcism rituals, as eight out of ten Taoists encountered in such situations relied solely on exorcism—it was a common occurrence, and You Kewei had seen too much of it on his travels.

"I know but a little, very shallow compared to you, sir." Chen Yu’s knowledge of medicine was not even as deep as his Taoist studies; he was barely a novice. Skipping over this, he asked about the specific situation. He had not entered the house earlier and had only heard bits and pieces from Liu Da and the others, so he did not know the full details.

You Kewei stroked his goatee and explained that the eldest sister of the Liu family had a weak and floating liver qi. She might have had a pre-existing liver ailment, and this incident had triggered it; the level of distension was not yet severe. "The lower abdomen is only slightly swollen, and when pressed, it is not yet hard like wood. It can still be treated with medicine." He added that if they had waited a few more days until the belly was as large as a bushel, the gastric fluids would have reversed, rupturing the heart and lungs; by then, even if the Taoist Ancestor himself descended to earth, he would be powerless. "She has suffered these past few days, but with some follow-up care and by avoiding foods that induce internal heat, she will be fine."

He had left a prescription and had even ground some herbs he had gathered to alleviate her symptoms. She felt much better now and should have already fallen asleep. Chen Yu asked a few more questions about abdominal distension. He might not get the disease himself, but one could never be certain of the future; if he ever encountered it again, it would be good to have a precedent to follow.

"There are too few physicians in the western provinces, far fewer than in the Central Plains or the Jiangnan region, and even less than in the northern deserts," You Kewei sighed, shaking his head. He had seen many people die unfortunately because medical aid did not arrive in time. He did not withhold information when Chen Yu asked; this prescription was widely circulated in the Wuhu region and was not some precious, secret treasure.

The two continued to converse. Thanks to Chen Yu’s extraordinary memory and comprehension, which had been greatly enhanced by his expanding spiritual power, he was able to keep up with the old man even in fields he had not deeply explored. After a long discussion, most of which consisted of Chen Yu listening and the old man speaking, they finally fell silent. You Kewei’s expression was calm, but his heart was filled with surging waves.

"Young Daoist, your talent in pharmacology is truly exceptional. Had you not already been apprenticed, I would have wanted to impart my life’s medical knowledge to you as my successor."

"You are too kind. I have also gained a great deal today, and I must thank you for your generosity."

After expressing his thanks, Chen Yu saw the old man ponder for a moment before turning back toward the village, asking him to wait a moment. When You Kewei returned, he was holding two books. He had been genuinely delighted by Chen Yu’s talent and felt a tinge of regret that he could not take him as a disciple. However, seeing the young Daoist’s genuine interest in medicine and pharmacology, he decided to gift him some materials, hoping he might achieve something.

Chen Yu took them and looked down. One book was titled *The Record of a Hundred Herbs of Profound Stillness*, written by You Kewei himself. It recorded various herbs he had seen during his thousands of miles of travel, including their appearance, habits, medicinal properties, and toxic side effects. It was about twenty pages long, though not the original manuscript.

"A friend needed it recently, so I copied two volumes to send to him. I have one left, so I will give it to you, Daoist."

Chen Yu did not engage in the customary dance of refusing three times; he accepted it cleanly and promptly, bowing politely to express his gratitude. Seeing this, You Kewei could not help but stroke his beard and laugh, his satisfaction growing. The young man was spontaneous and sincere, without a hint of affectation—he truly suited his liking, though it was a pity he could not make him his personal disciple.

Across from him, Chen Yu looked at the second book. It was not a medical text as he had expected, but a Taoist scripture.

*The Wind-Simple Elixir*.

As the title suggested, this was an alchemy manual. However, unlike the lead-mercury alchemy methods that were currently gaining popularity, the book recorded a vastly different path of alchemy. The more he read, the more Chen Yu became immersed. A brilliant light shone in his eyes, as if a new world had been opened before him.